Melissa "Missy" Jean (Brennan) Espinosa

Melissa was born on June 24, 1975, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the oldest daughter to Melvin James and JoAnn (Darnell) Brennan. She was a beautiful and easy baby and a wonderful sweet-and-sassy addition to her growing family, joining her parents, two older brothers, and, later, welcoming a younger sister, in a lifetime of adventures.

Missy was a world traveler early on, born abroad as her father worked for two years in Saudi Arabia. She lived in various places throughout, including Grand Junction, Denver, Colorado, Saudi Arabia, and Burbank, California.

Melissa attended Orchard Avenue Elementary and East Middle School in Grand Junction, finishing middle and high school in Burbank. Missy’s life was filled with the love of family and fun experiences. She greatly enjoyed spending time with loved ones at picnics and gatherings with her Darnell and Brennan grandparents and families. Melissa also enjoyed camping, swimming and special times in Girl Scouts and the Young Women organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her favorite place to visit was Disneyland, where she frequented on countless occasions since she was a baby, forming some of her most-cherished memories and passing this tradition on to her children.

In her childhood, Missy enjoyed participating in t-ball and softball, ballet and baton twirling. She, along with her little sister, Bonnie, performed in dance recitals and parades, dressing in frilly costumes to take the stage/spotlight and warm people’s hearts. She loved animals, mainly kittens and cats, puppies and dogs. Among her favorite things, Missy enjoyed the wonderful entertainment her two mischievous big brothers consistently provided and could not wait to see what they had in mind next. She loved the kind-hearted teasing she received from and returned to her brothers and participating in fun and girly antics with her little sister.

After moving to Burbank in the late 80s, Missy met and married Rick Espinosa and started her family early, welcoming their daughter Gabriella in 1991, followed by their son Mateo’s debut in 1998. Melissa doted on her kids, keeping them clean and well dressed, supporting and cheering them on in their sports and activities, sharing her love of Disney, and later adding Universal Studios (when Rick has been employed since the early 90s) to the places the family enjoyed. Melissa dearly loved her family and, though their time together was sadly too short, was so proud to see the beautiful young woman and amazing young man her children had become.

Melissa was preceded in death by her father, Melvin James Brennan, grandparents, several aunts and uncles, her brother, Patrick James Brennan, and cousin, Andrew Everett Pyle. Melissa leaves behind her husband, Rick Espinosa (Burbank, CA), daughter, Gabriella (Gabie) Megan Espinosa (Denver, CO), son, Mateo Christopher Espinosa (Burbank, CA), mother, JoAnn (Darnell) Brennan, and brother, Michael (Amy) Brennan of Grand Junction (nephew, Sam, and niece, Dani), little sister, Bonnie Jo (Adam) Brennan (Aurora, CO) (niece, Lilah), Patrick’s sons (nephews Thomas and Max Brennan), mother-in-law, Hortencia Espinosa, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Martin (Rosalyn), Edward and Pattie Espinosa (all of Burbank, CA), as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

This world is not as bright without Missy and her beautiful smile and contagious laughter. Until we see you again, rest easy, free of pain and bondage, our daughter, sister, wife, mother, niece, cousin and friend.

A visitation for Melissa will be held at 10 a.m. on May 21, 2022, with her funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2542 G Road, Grand Junction, CO 81505. Internment will follow at Orchard Mesa Cemetery, where Melissa will be laid to rest alongside many family members.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Espinosa family.